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LOT 0975
Byzantine Bronze Coin Weight
5TH-7TH CENTURY A.D.
1 in. (26.8 grams, 27 mm).
With gussetted rim, reverse with central roundel, obverse with cross above gamma and alpha with pointillé detailing.
ProvenancePrivate collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent.
LiteratureCf. Weber, K., Byzantinische Münzgewichte: Materialkorpus für 1-Nomisma-Gewichte, Schwelm, 2009, item 295, for type.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Byzantine Glazed Sgraffito-Ware Shipwreck Bowl
13th-14th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £338
Shallow bowl with glazed upper face and basal ring, reserved geometric design of roundels and lozenges, with signs of sea encrustations. 504 grams, 22 cm
Private collection of Mr S.A., Switzerland, 1990s, thence by descent. -
Byzantine Belt Mount with Lion Combat Scene
Circa 6th-7th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Belt buckle plate with loops, lateral spurs and knop finial; low-relief scene of a man grappling with a beast in a landscape with tree and flowers; mounting lugs to the reverse; old collector's envelop with handwritten text 'sceau / Carthage / combat Homme et Lion / [..] Jardin' (seal / Carthage / fight between man and lion / [..] garden). 18.5 grams, 47 mm
Found in Carthage. From a 19th century collection based on the handwritten package. From the collection of a London antiquarian. Accompanied by an old hand written collector's envelope. -
Byzantine 'Greek Fire' Ceramic Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade
10th-13th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £163
Piriform body decorated with concentric circles alternated to round patterns, with domed filler-hole, intended to be filled with explosive liquid and wick, used as a hand grenade. 545 grams, 12.5 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. Accompanied by an academic paper by military specialist Dr Raffaele D'Amato, dated 15 July 2019 and titled 'Eastern Roman Empire - Greek Fire Bomb or Hand Grenade (μεσαίον kακάβιον) 9th-11th century AD'.
Apart from the use of siphons or manual flame-throwers called cheirosiphona, special corps of Roman soldiers employed terracotta grenades, in the form of small jars, abundantly evidenced in archaeological excavations. They were called μεσαία kακαβιά or κυτροκακάβια where the former had a bulbous shape and the latter a more cylindrical form.
